Tanzania: JPM, Kenyatta Tout Smooth Trade

President John Magufuli and his Kenyan counterpart,
Uhuru Kenyatta, yesterday instructed their ministers to resolve issues that
emerge in the course of conducting business between the two countries. The two
Heads of State gave instructions after holding talks at Munyonyo Hotel in
Kampala, shortly before commencement of the East African Community (EAC) Heads
of State meeting.

The two presidents said they want to see business
growing between Tanzania and Kenya, by selling and buying products from both
sides and that any differences that affect business must be resolved.
“There are small things that emerge in business between Tanzania and
Kenya; we want ministers from both sides to sit and resolve them. Small issues
that involve gas, shoes, clothes and wheat flour must be resolved by ministers;
you do not need to involve us in such issues,” he noted. Dr Magufuli’s
statement was supported by his counterpart, President Kenyatta.

He further said Tanzania is also concerned with the
state of security in the youngest African nation, Sudan. “I have assured
President Kiir that Tanzania stands with South Sudan and we would like to see
them ending their differences. Tanzaina is ready to trade with South Sudan; we
are ready to sell them food if they need it from us,” said Dr Magufuli.

President Kiir said Tanzania and South Sudan share a
historical relationship since the reign of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, adding that
President Magufuli has assured him of good relationship regardless of the
ongoing war in his country. Moreover, Dr Magufuli held talks with the First
Vice-President of Burundi, Gaston Sindimwo, who represented President Pierre
Nkurunziza. The VP went on to assure President Magufuli that the state of
security in Burundi was stable.

“As Africans, we must really know what will help
us to get out of poverty … numbers matter a lot when it comes to
prosperity,” said President Museveni. He cited China and India as examples
that possessed huge consumer bases, but again saw that it was not enough to
attain prosperity and guarantee their economic growth. As for East Africa and
Africa, President Museveni said they have the numbers and in 2050 it is
anticipated to double.

 

“We only have a simple job of organising the
numbers well, in the common market of East Africa and the Continental Free
Trade (CFTA) which will be signed in Kigali, next month,” he noted.

According to the summit’s joint communiqué among
things which were deliberated in the meeting include – placing for
consideration a report of the council on the implementation of previous
decisions of the summit and concern over the slow implementation of decisions.
The summit directed the council to implement all outstanding decisions and
report to the 20th summit.

The summit assented to the EAC Customs Management
(amendment) Bill 2016, the EAC Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2016, the EAC
Appropriation Bill 2016, which had been partially assented to.  The summit noted and endorsed nine key
investment priority areas for health and directed partner states to mobilise
resources required to support the implementation.

With regard to infrastructure, the summit directed the
council to mobilise resources required for implementation of new and on-going
priority infrastructure projects in the region. The meeting also gave impetus
towards achievement and objectives of the EAC by directing the council and
partner states to fully implement the single customs territory by rolling out
all products and all customs regimes. The summit directed the partner states to
expedite the amendment of their national policies, laws and regulations to
comply with the common market protocol.

Concerning the monetary union, the summit directed the
council to expedite the establishment of the monetary institute and other
institutions according to the roadmap of the East African Monetary Union.